Denture-measuring device



FRANK Gr. I-IAXVKSXVOB/T', OF VESTMONT, NEW JERSEY, SSGIIR EO THE 53.

DENTAL MAN'UFACTURNG COMPANY, A CORP()RATONV OF ENNSYLVJHA.

DENTURE-MEASURING DEVCE.

Application filed December 4, 1920.

lii'rhcn an artificial denture is required it is common practise to taire an impression of the mouth of the patient and from such impression to mold a master model which is a duplicate in form cf the gums of the mouth. From this model measurements are taken to ascertain the length of the gum ridge, and determine the size of the teeth required. ln taking such measuren'ients it is difficult for the operator to hold the measureing scale in proper relation to the denture model and at the same time register said scale accurately with the contour of the crest of the dental arch ridge.

My invention relates particularly to a device for measuring the length of the dental arch, and is especially directed to means for supporting a graduated scale in such relation to a dental arch model that the length of the ridge of a dental arch may be accurately determined.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a device upon which the master model of a dental arch may be conveniently supported While being measured to ascertain the size of the teeth required, and to provide means-for supporting a measuring scale over the model in proper relation to the crest of the dental arch ridge thereof, whereby the length of said ridge may be accurately detcrmined.

Other objects of my invention are to provide a dental arch model holder with means for supporting a measuring scale in proper relation to the ridge of the dental arch, and to provide such an adjustment of the scalesupporting means that the end portions of the scale may be so relatively adjusted toward and from each other as to be spaced in accordance with the distance between the respective heels of the dental arch ridge.

My invention further includes a dental arch measuring device having means for supporting a scale in such relation to a master model of the dental arch as to facilitate the convenient adjustment of said scale in a direction perpendicular to the plane of occlusion of the model being measured, and also longitudinally with respect to the dental arch ridge formed thereon.

Specifically stated, the form of my invention as hereinafter described, comprises a supporting base having posts or standards provided with slots arranged to receive the Serial No. 428,194.

end portions of a flexible measuring scale which may be held with its intermediate portion bowed to conform to the crest of the ridge of a dental arch model supported upon said base, said standards being adjustable toward and from each other to vary the distance between the end portions of said scale, whereby the radius of the bowed intermediate portion may be varied in accordance with the curvature or contour of the dental arch ridge being measured.

My invention also includes all of the various novel features of construction and arrangement as hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the accompanyingv drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a measuring device constructed in accordance with my invention; showing a master model of a dental arch conveniently supported thereon; Fig. 2 is a side elevational' View of the structure shown in Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of said measuring device talren on the line 3*?) in Figs. l and 2.

.in said figures, the base l which. is ort' ferm suitable for supporting the model of the dental arch, is provided: with the posts or standards 3 and il, the standard S being preferably secured in fixed relation to the base l, while the post 4 is carried by the siide-blocl The slide-block 5 is arranged to slide in the slide-way e which is provided with the opposed longitudinail ribs i' fitted into corresponding grooves 9 in the side walls of the slide-bloei; :3, where`A by'said slide-bloei; may he readily adjusted with its standard l toward and from the standard "ilie siandard 3 is provided with the axilj.; disposerV slot l() forming the prengs 'il and l2. nd the standard flis provided ii a simile-.r slo1L 13, forming the prongs lil e d l5, into which the end portions of a ible graduated measuring s ale le may inped and thereby frictionaily held in position to cause its intermediate portion to conform to the crest l? of the dental arch ridge 18 formed on the denture model 2.

it will be obvious that the scale 1G may7 be adjusted vertically in the slots l0 and l?) of the respective standar Ls 3 and fl into close proximity with the crest 1'? of the dental arch ridge 18, irrespective of the thickness of the denture model, and that it ffl() lill) may be longitudinally adjusted in said slots to register the Zero graduation with one heel 2O ot the dental arch model. Thus it will be seen that the graduation which registers with the opposite heel 22 on the dental arch model will indicate the accurate length of the dental arch ridge, whereby the requisite size of the teeth to be placed in the arch may be detern'iined with absolute precision.

lt may be here noted that although l have shown and described a base havingY one standard in fixed relation therewith and the other standard adjustablv movable thereinI` 1.otli of said standards might as; readily be movable with respect to each other, or might be otherwise adjustable, and, ther-etere, l do not desire. to limit my invent-ion to the precise details oi construction and arrangement as herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing trom the essential leatures of my invention as delined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention i claim l. A device oil the character descrilral comprising a base 'for supporting an aricle to he measured, and standards arranged on said base to engage the end `portions olf a measuring scale and support it with its tree intermediate portion spaced from said base and bowed to conform to said article while supported on said base.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base tor supporting a denture model, and standards arranged on Said base and adapted to hold a measuring scale in operative relation to the ridge of the dental arch formed on said model, said standards being relatively adjustable toward and from each other while supported on said base.

23. A device o'lc the character described comprising a base for supporting a denture model, standards arranged on said base and adapted to hold a measuring scale in 0perative relation to the ridge of the dental arch termed on said model, and a slide block movable in said base and arranged to carr)v one et said standards while suoported on said base.

A device of the character described comprising a base 'for supporting a denture model, vinlards arranged on said base and adagted to hold a measuring scale in operative relation to the ridge oi" the dental arch formed on said model, and means whereby the distance between said standards may be varied while supported on said base.

5. A device orf the character described cfixniprising a base 'lor supporting a. denture model, and standards arranged on said base and adapted to hold a measuring scale iu position to contorni to the ridge of the dental arch termed on said model, and adjustable me:` s tor effecting the relative movemeut of said standards towards and 'from ez 4h other while supported on said base, without changing the parallel relation ol the slots in said standards.

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto sel, my hand this 2nd day of December, A. D., 15120. f

FRANK G. HAWKSVWORTH. 

